3 arrested after investigation of 'savage beating'

The search for the assailant in the severe bludgeoning of a Price man led to arrest of a suspect in the assault and two other persons with him for other charges Friday iafternoon.

The investigation, headed by Price Det. Chris Pugliese, began March 29. A Price man showed up at Castleview Hospital after he had been "savagely beaten," according to Capt. Bill Barnes.

The victim had to be life flighted to a northern Utah hospital for treatment. Barnes said the man was hesistant to provide information to police, but later took the advice of friends and family and named James William Pendleton, 39, reportedly a childhood friend.

Pendleton allegedly assaulted the man with a mid-sized baseball bat.

Pugliese's investigation led to obtaining a search warrant for for Pendleton and his residence in southwest Price.

Officers from Price, the Carbon County Sheriff's Department, Wellington Police and Adult Probation and Parole served the warrant, Barnes reported.

They found Pendleton parked in a vehicle near his home.

With him in the vehicle were two other Price residents, Ashley Ann Platt, 21, and Michael Dees, 38.

Discovered in the vehicle were nearly 10 grams of methamphetamine and paraperhalia.

Pendleton was arrested and booked into Carbon County Jail for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in a drug-free zone, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.

Platt allegedly had paraphernalia and various driver licenses and credit cards that did not belong to her, the captain stated.

She was jailed for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, possession of drug paraphernalian in a drug-free zone, unlawful acquisition, possession of transfer of a financial transaction card, and unlawful possession of another's identification document. She was alson booked on an unrelated statewide warrant and placed on a 72-hour hold by Adult Probation and Parole.

Dees was booked on a 72-hour hold by AP&P.

Officers escorted Pendleton to his residence for service of the search warrant. Barnes said the search turned up other parapernalia, the bat allegedly used in the assault and an airsoft piston that looks like a semi-automatic handgun.

The captain said the county attorney's office is reviewing all reports to determine appropriate formal charges.